fl-crop-weather Week ending July 30, 2000 Released 4:00 P.M. July 31, 2000 WEATHER SUMMARY: Widespread showers brought significant rain to many localities during the week of July 23 through 29. Rainfall ranged from about an inch to almost four inches in most areas. The rains skipped some southeastern coastal areas with Ft. Pierce and West Palm Beach recording from traces to less than a half inch. Pensacola recorded only traces of rain for the week with most of the Panhandle and some northern Peninsula localities still having drought conditions. Overcast skies kept most high temperatures in the 80s and low 90s. Lows were mostly in the 60s and 70s with a few record lows set during the period. Temperatures averaged from three degrees below normal to one degree above at the major stations. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture throughout the State is short to adequate. Rain fall has been scattered. Tobacco harvest is active. The first day for tobacco markets to open is August 1. Corn silage harvest is about complete in some areas. The sugarcane crop is in good condition. Soybeans are mostly in good condition. In some areas haying is being delayed by scattered showers. Growers report peanut condition at 1% very poor, 2% poor, 84% fair, and 13% good. Growers reported 81 percent peanuts pegged. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 3 0 6 6 Short 46 31 50 43 Adequate 51 69 44 51 Surplus 0 0 0 0 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: Statewide, the pasture condition was unchanged while the cattle condition improved. In the Panhandle, pasture grass is short but condition is fair. In the north counties, the cattle and pasture condition is fair to good. Pasture improved from last week. In the central area, pasture improved but grass is short and stock ponds are still low. In the west central counties, both cattle and pasture conditions improved following rain. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 5 5 5 5 Fair 70 70 65 55 Good 25 25 30 40 Excellent 0 0 0 0 CITRUS: Most areas of Florida's citrus belt received heavy rains and thunderstorms on several days this week. Surface soil moisture is adequate to plentiful in virtually all areas. Lakes, ponds and streams are slowly refilling following the long winter and spring dry period. The abundant moisture levels have produced a lot of new growth on trees of all ages in all areas. Some late bloom continues, most of which has developed in those groves that were stressed by the drought and harvested later than usual. New crop fruit is making very good progress. The overwhelming majority of the new fruit is regular bloom. The only fruit being harvested now is going to the fresh squeeze operations and most of that is the later bloom quality. All large juice plants are closed for the season. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops that are making good growth with the help of the recent rains. Summer sprays and fertilizer applications are being applied between the frequent rains. Dead tree removal is very active in all areas along with the burning of most grove debris. VEGETABLES: Central and southern Peninsula growers are preparing land and laying plastic for fall crop planting with afternoon showers delaying some field activities. Planting of cherry and grape tomatoes is underway, and planting of round tomatoes is expected to start over the next seven to ten days in the Palmetto-Ruskin region. Harvesting of okra is active in Dade County. Picking of summer squash continues in the Palmetto-Ruskin area. To receive this report via e-mail, send an e-mail message to nass-state-releases@news.usda.gov with the following message: subscribe fl-crop-weather. The report will be e-mailed automatically to your e-mail address each week.